Apparatus for imparting water-finish to paper.



No. 628,570. Patented July ll, I899. G. S; WITHAM.

APPARATUS FOR IMPARTING WATER FINISH TU PAPER.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1899.

(No Model.)

I face of the paper.

in this respect that cold-air blasts and the UNITE A STATES .v

PATENT. OFFICE.

GEORGE S. WlTl-IAM, OF OCONTO FALL S, XV ISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO EDWARD A. EDMONDS, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR IMPARTIN'G WATER-FINISH TO PAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 628,570, dated July 1 1, 1899.

Application filed April 3,1899. Serial No. 711,592. (No model.)

To all whom it nut/y concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. WITHAM, a citizen of the United States,residin g at Oconto Falls, in the county of Oconto and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Impartinga Water-Finish to Paper, of which the following is a specification.

In apparatus for this purpose the paper web is led from the drier to calender-rolls, and water is applied to the paper before it hascompleted its passage through the calender-rolls. Generally the Water is applied in the form of aspray or by steam after the paper has passed through some of the rolls. of apparatus at present most largely used, but it is open to many objections. In the first place, after the paper has passed through one or more calender-rolls its surface becomes more or less hard and glossy and does not properly absorb a sufficient amount of water, and, secondly, when water is applied directly to the calender-rolls the latter become more or less rusted, making frequent repairs necessary, as creases form in the surface of the rolls, which correspondingly impair the sur- All calender-rolls are made of heavy solid chilled iron and are very accurately ground'and polished, so that the thinnest sheets of paper passing through them may receive equal pressure throughout,

and inasmuch as the paper which comes from I the drier is hot and continually running on the calender-rolls the latter become heated, causing them to expand, especially in the central portions and where the metal is thickest. So much trouble has been experienced like have been resorted to to remedy it. In such apparatus it is also difficult, if not impossible, to control the amount of moisture in the'edges of the sheets. Moreover, when a web of paper is run part way through the calenders before receiving moisture the fibers are crushed and injured because they are brittle, and where steam is employed for supplying moistureit is apt to heat the paperto such an extent as to unduly heat the calender-rolls and to expand them unevenly, thus This is the kindcausing the paper to be calendered to a greater degree in some places than in others, and the steam is apt to injure the sizing in the paper and unlay .the fibers, which are caused to curl and twist and give the surface of the web a fuzzy appearance, which cannot be remedied by the calenders. v

The object of my invention is to overcome these objections in machines now commonly employed.

In carrying out my invention I interpose between the drier and the calender-s an improved device for applying water to the web of paper just before it enters the first calender-rolls. The apparatus is so constructed as to apply evenly the proper amount of moisture to both sides of the paper while it is porous and in the best condition to receive moisture. The arrangement is such, also, as to prevent an undue amount of water or moisture from being carried by the paper into the calenders.

. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of calenders of ordinary construction and a part of thedrying apparatus. It also shows my improved water-applying devices interposed between the drier and the calenders. Fig. 2 is a detail View, on an enlarged scale and in transverse section, through apart of. my improved Water-applying devices.

The calendering apparatus A B may be of any suitable improved construction, as may also the drying apparatus 0. The web of paper X is led from the drying apparatus 0 under a guide-roller 0, through my improved water-applying devices D, then through the calender apparatus B, and then through the calender apparatus A.

In my improved apparatus there are two rolls 6 and f, which are provided with rubber coverings c f. ,The lower roll is preferably mounted in bearings on a bracket F, attached to the frame of the calendering apparatusB. The upper roll e rests on the lower roll f and isheld down in contact therewith by levers G, pivoted at h to brackets H, secured to the frame of the apparatus B. The levers Gare provided with open bearings g, which extend bracket F. This roller bears on the surface of the roll f and acts as a dam for the water. Water is supplied to both sides of the paper web X by means of spray-pipes K L, which are connected with pipes M m, provided with suitable controlling devices. Below the lower roll f is a drip-pan N.

The dam-roll J prevents the water from running down the web X and also holds the web in contact with the lower roll. may be connected with a trough or drain to carry off surplus Water.

The rolls 6 and fare preferably made rather heavy, so as to press upon the paper web as it passes through them. The pressure of the upper roll may be regulated by the weights '5 or by a system of levers or the like in wellknown ways. The web of paper X receives moisture while it is still warm, but uncalendered, and in the best condition to absorb water. This passes directly to the calenders while still moist and in the best condition to pass through the calender-rolls. Moisture is applied to both sides, and thus both sides of the paper are finished inthe same manner by the calenders and there is no liability of the paper curling, as would be the case if moisture were applied to only one side.

In my apparatus the paper web may be run at high speed, the drier is located close to the first calendering apparatus, and my waterapplying devices are close to the calenders.

The pan N form with that in other portions thereof. By

means of the use of rubber rolls a beautiful mottled paper may be obtained.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of calendering apparatus, drying apparatus, rubber-covered rolls interposed between the drying apparatus and the calenderin g apparat us, and through which the web of paper passes, and means for ap* plying water to the web of paper while passing through the rolls.

2; The combination of calendering apparatus, drying apparatus, rubber-covered rolls through which the web of paper passes on its way from the drier to the first calender, means for applying pressure between the rolls, and a dam for preventing surplus water from Howing down the paper web.

3. The combination of calendering appara tus, drying apparatus, rubber-covered rolls through which the web of paper passes on its way from the drying apparatus to the calendering apparatus, spray-pipesv for applying water to opposite sides of the paper web, and a dam-roll for preventing surplus water from flowing down the paper web.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

G. S. WITI-IAM.

Witnesses:

E. A. EDMONDS, GEO. B. lVIAURER. 

